Ball in general, life on the road… on this blog, either you do or you don't.

Lucky Seven rides again

OK, you guys know the drill. Answer as many as you like, or as few as you want. But if you don’t know or don’t care or whatever, just ignore it. No reason to take shots.

And I do believe this Lucky Seven will be a Pujols-free zone.

1. How many regular-season games will Jim Edmonds play in for the Cardinals in 2011?

2. Where in the batting order (not where on the field — what place in the batting order, 1-9) will Lance Berkman get the most plate appearances this year? Where SHOULD he get the most plate appearances?

3. Who will get the most plate appearances as the Cardinals leadoff man this year? Who should?

4. If you were the manager, who would be the Opening Day starting pitcher?

1) I will set the bar at 50. That includes starts and subs.
2) 6 or 7 for both answers.
3) Schumaker umm… maybe Theriot?
4) Adam Wainwright. I think Carp is enough of a team guy to know that WW is the Ace now. I think they have reversed places in the 1 and 1A ace discussion.
5) STL Cardinals. And I’m not just being a homer. The brew crew may have some good pitching but so do we. The reds may have some bats but so do we. The cubs will be the cubs, as will the Pirates. Houston will be there in the middle somewhere.
6) Mark Martin is my guy, but other than that as long as its not the 18. I’ll take the 24 over him even.
7) Used to be the MTV awards. Because they dont really mean anything, and something dumb almost always happens. But I dont watch awards shows. The wife does.

1. 30-40
2. I think he’ll see some time in the 5 spot early, but that could change depending on how well Rasmus and Freese are swinging the bat.
3. Theriot. I’m hoping to see Jon Jay step up and fill that role in the near future though.
4. Wainwright, hands down.
5. Pirates. I think this is their year. (I’m reading a Cardinals blog, of course I actually think it’s the Cardinals.)
6. Albert Pujols.
7. The 2006 World Series trophy presentation

1. 30-40
2. I think he’ll see some time in the 5 spot early, but that could change depending on how well Rasmus and Freese are swinging the bat.
3. Theriot. I’m hoping to see Jon Jay step up and fill that role in the near future though.
4. Wainwright, hands down.
5. Pirates. I think this is their year. (I’m reading a Cardinals blog, of course I actually think it’s the Cardinals.)
6. Albert Pujols.
7. The 2006 World Series trophy presentation

1. Between 11 and 25. I’d honestly be surprised if he was healthy enough to start the season.
2. Likely 6th behind Rasmus if he struggles, but 2nd seems like a better fit for him in the Cards lineup
3. Barring a trade, Skip. and same
4. Whomever pitches better and is looser in the spring between Waino/Carp
5. Short answer: Reds. As long as pitching maintains or improves at least slightly from last year. If not, Cards.
6. Jeff Burton
7. Not an award show kind a guy. Might be if MLB did one.

1. Zero
2. 5th, I think he should bat 2nd though.
3. Theriot and Theriot
4. Wainwright, without question, you can’t finish that high in Cy Young voting 2 straight seasons and not get the opening day gig.
5. Cards if they are healthy, if not then it’s a pretty tight 3 team race (Brew, Reds, Cards) with Cubs close behind.
6. The Mad Hungarian, Al Hrabowski
7. The Razzies, less pretentious than the others.

1 Zero, ankles will force his retirement unfortunately
2 5 hole and you dont have to explain it where not all idiots
3 Theriot unless Skip can up his average
4 Waino will surpass carp
5 Cards
6 who cares it baseball season
7 another who cares, award shows are for people that have nothing to do

1 – I see Jimmy getting around 80 games this year
2 – Berkman will hit 5th most often, but I think he would be better 2nd
3 – I think the answer to this two parter is not on the MLB Roster right now. It will be a change during the season that gets a solid leadoff man.
4 – Waino
5 – I think the Cards are best, but there is a crowd at the top (Reds, Brewers, Cards)
6 – I don’t follow racing, sorry
7 – I like the Grammys due to the performances. The awards themselves are second fiddle to me.

1. One.
2. 5th. Rasmus needs a little more protection so he will be in the 2 hole. Helps him a little more.
3. Skip, his career avg is a little higher than theriot’s, but my guess is they platoon that with Skip against Righties and Theriot against Lefties some of the time.
4. Wainwright without a doubt!
5. I honestly believe the cards are with their Pitching staff being the reason.
6. Kevin Harvick (?)
7. I am going to cheat and put the NFL Draft. Better than any of the other award shows.

1. None. Just a gut feeling.
2. I think he’ll start in the #2 spot(La Russa’s “pop at the top” reasoning, and the mind games with Rasmus), but he’ll see a lot of time in the 5 hole.
3. I have no clue. I stopped trying to think like TLR a long time ago.
4. If his arm truly is ok, Wainwright(I’m sorry, but I still don’t trust the medical staff, especially when it comes to pitchers’ arms).
5. Reds
6. I don’t care
7. They all stink

1) 0. Right now, I don’t see him making the Major’s roster. Hearing of health issues (knee, I believe?) and I can’t see him making the cut if he’s not 100%.

2) I think Berkman is likely to see the most appearances at 5th, where he should be. I think the coaching staff will be leary to put his bad knees in front of Pujols.

3) Probably Skip, though would prefer Theriot.

4) Waino.

5) I think the Brew-crew might surprise people this year. I expect the Reds to tail off a bit, while the Brewers should still have an explosive offense, mixed with a no-longer “worst ever” defense. I think STL is going to continue to be marred by spurts of bad hitting along with some team drama stealing players’ focus.

1. 35 – 45. I see him missing the first month or so of the season due to injury. After that I expect he’ll get a spot start or substitution every third day or so.
2. 5th with Rasmus in the 2 hole. Should be 5th unless Freese comes out of the gate on fire.
3. Skip, Theriot
4. Waino
5. Cards. With the Brewers and Reds close behind.

1. Maximum 25 starts and 40 appearances.
2.Probably bat in the five hole, should bat in the five to protect Albert and Holliday and let Rasmus see good pitches in front of Albert.
3.Schumaker will and should.
4.Wainwright
5.Cardinals
6.Who cares.
7.The World Series Trophy Presentation.

1. I wish this question was still open.
2. Fifth to both.
3. Theriot; Rasmus.
4. Waino. Time to pass the torch.
5. Nearly a dead heat among the Cardinals, Brewers and Reds, but St. Louis is the best by a nose — which is no guarantee they’ll win.
6 and 7. No opinion.

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.